Unapologetic Leadership

Cory Dunham
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business

In a noisy, distracted world, authentic leadership matters more than ever. Hosted by Cory Dunham—entrepreneur, business leader, and follower of Jesus—this podcast is real talk for real leaders who want to live and lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. From overcoming fear mindsets to leading with love, Cory shares personal stories, faith-driven values, and practical tools that help you grow as a leader in your workplace, family, and community. Each episode offers actionable takeaways, mindset shifts, and sometimes guest insights—so you can lead without burnout, build trust, create alignment, and anchor yourself in what truly matters. Whether you’re a boss, teacher, parent, entrepreneur, career professional, or single mom, this show will help you lead yourself and others in a way that’s bold, authentic, and sustainable. Because leadership isn’t a title—it’s a way of living. Subscribe and join a community of leaders who are done with surface-level living. The world doesn’t need louder leaders—it needs leaders who are clear, courageous, and grounded.

  1. 4d ago

    Teaching Critical Thinking in Schools: Authentic STEM Learning for Every Student, with Karen Marshall

    What if the solution to one of our biggest problems is already sitting inside the mind of a student who has never been asked what they think? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Karen N. Marshall, CEO of Innovative STEM Solutions, to explore why authentic STEM education is about far more than science. It’s about teaching students how to think critically, ask better questions, communicate their ideas, and solve real-world problems. Karen shares why worksheets and one-off activities aren’t enough, how experiential learning can create greater opportunities for every student, and why educators and leaders may need to rethink what meaningful learning actually looks like. The future needs problem solvers. The question is whether we’re giving today’s students the opportunity to become them. About Karen Marshall Karen is the CEO of Innovative STEM Solutions and a consultant for STEM and K-12 education, specializing in NGSS/LSSS, coastal restoration, and water quality. Karen brings more than 20 years of educational leadership experience to her work. Through Innovative STEM Solutions, she and her team provide innovative educational resources and solutions to academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. Drawing on diverse educational experience, Karen has developed a deep understanding of the challenges educational institutions face and works to create strategies tailored to each organization’s unique needs. Innovative STEM Solutions provides services designed to improve academic performance and help organizations achieve their educational goals, including curriculum development, teacher training and coaching, technology integration, and comprehensive evaluation. Connect with Karen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-n-marshall-44503570/ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/karenknm

  2. Sep 2

    From Felony to SpaceX: Building Wealth, Teams, and Legacy Through Relentless Execution, with Efren Barriga

    What happens when life knocks you all the way to the bottom? For Efren Barriga, becoming a felon, filing for bankruptcy, and watching doors close could have defined the rest of his life. Instead, he decided there was only one direction left to go: up. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Efren to unpack his remarkable journey from rock bottom to SpaceX, where he grew from fabricator and welder into leadership roles overseeing nearly 400 people and contributing to some of the most ambitious aerospace programs in the world. Efren shares the principles that transformed his life: choosing abundance over scarcity, surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking, taking action before you have all the answers, developing emotional intelligence, empowering teams to solve problems, and pursuing experience before money. They explore entrepreneurship, real estate investing, raising capital, faith, family, failure, leadership, and why the questions you ask yourself can completely change the trajectory of your life. This is a conversation about redemption, relentless execution, ownership, and refusing to let your past write your future. About Efren Barriga Efren Barriga is a manufacturing leader, investor, and founder driven by one principle: Make A Difference, M.A.D. Raised in Huntington Park, California, and overcoming both a felony and bankruptcy, Efren rebuilt his life from the ground up, scaling aerospace manufacturing teams in some of the most high pressure environments in the world. At SpaceX, he led nearly 400 personnel and delivered multimillion dollar operational improvements on programs shaping the future of space travel. As an entrepreneur and investor, Efren oversees $5M+ in assets, has secured multiple infinite return properties, and recently acquired an aerospace welding company, stepping into ownership in one of the world’s most technical industries. But at the center of everything he does is legacy. Efren is a father of five, with another child on the way, and believes wealth is about far more than lifestyle. It is about building systems, assets, discipline, and opportunities that can strengthen his family for generations. He continues to work a W-2 executive role while building businesses and managing investments, proving his belief that there is always time when you structure your schedule, protect your focus, and execute with discipline. Efren’s journey is about redemption, structure, ownership, and building a legacy that changes the trajectory of a bloodline. Connect with Efren Direct Access: expert.minnect.com/@EfrenBarriga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebmadwarrior

  3. Aug 26

    Non-Negotiables Values and Leading Clients Through Life Transitions, with Cristine Ernsdorff

    In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Southwest Florida real estate professional Cristine Ernsdorff to discuss integrity, transparency, trust, and the non-negotiable values that guide how she leads and serves her clients. Cristine explains why pressure doesn’t have to change your standards. By deciding in advance how you will conduct yourself, you can avoid sacrificing your values simply to close a deal, rush a decision, or achieve a short term result. They also explore the power of transparency, why people need the truth rather than simply the answer they want to hear, and how honest conversations create stronger relationships and greater trust. Cristine also shares why she is willing to walk away when a client relationship doesn’t align with her values, putting integrity and reputation ahead of simply making the sale. About Cristine Ernsdorff Cristine is a Southwest Florida real estate professional with Century 21, representing buyers and sellers throughout the region. Before becoming a Realtor, she owned and operated a residential development company, giving her valuable insight into property value, market trends, and what makes a home stand out. As a Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certified agent with a Luxury Home Certification, Cristine combines strategic pricing, elevated marketing, strong negotiation skills, and a client first approach to help people confidently navigate their real estate decisions. Connect with Cristine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastal_by_cristine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cristine.marinelli LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coastalbycristine/ Email: cmernsdorff@gmail.com Phone: (239) 826-2977

  4. Aug 19

    Sales Team Enablement, AI Tools and The Real Cost of Implementation, with Monika Owczarek

    AI can transform your sales team, but adding more tools doesn’t automatically create better results. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with sales strategist Monika Owczarek to discuss building consistent, AI powered revenue systems that actually work. Monika shares how leaders can identify gaps in their sales process, learn from top performers, and use AI and automation strategically instead of overwhelming teams with tools they barely use. They also explore the real cost of AI implementation, why AI still requires training and oversight, how founders can transition from founder led sales to scalable sales teams, and why authenticity and listening remain essential leadership skills. About Monika Owczarek Monika is the Founder & CEO of Strattik Sales Consulting, specializing in AI powered revenue systems, B2B sales infrastructure, go to market strategy, RevOps, and scaling technology companies. Her experience spans PE backed companies, Fortune 500 environments, unicorns, and VC backed startups, including work supporting clients such as Google, Rolls Royce, Johnson & Johnson, and Pinterest. She has led global sales teams, built enablement programs from the ground up, and coached hundreds of sales representatives and leaders through structured onboarding and methodology. Monika helps companies solve the sales problems that create chaos and stall growth, from demos that confuse buyers and inconsistent discovery processes to unreliable CRM data, technical sales challenges, and missing playbooks. She is an Executive Member and Steering Committee participant at Pavilion, a keynote speaker on sales, leadership, and AI, and a past university lecturer. Connect with Monika LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-owc/

  5. Aug 13

    How Customer Success Leaders Gain Visibility and Get Promoted, with Beverly Hathorn

    Why do talented leaders sometimes get stuck while others continue moving up? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cori Dunham sits down with customer success leadership consultant Beverly Hathorn to uncover what it really takes to gain visibility, increase your impact, and prepare yourself for the next level. Beverly shares why simply doing your job well isn’t always enough to advance. If you want to become a director, start thinking, acting, and leading like one before the title arrives. She also explores the importance of personal development, creating psychologically safe teams, developing others, and replacing a scarcity mindset with an abundance mindset. Her advice is simple: Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. When opportunity arrives, make sure you’re already prepared to step into it. About Beverly Hathorn Beverly Hathorn partners with Customer Success Managers and leaders who are ready to move from reactive firefighting to confident, strategic leadership, where their work is visible, their voice carries weight, and their next step becomes clear. Connect with Bev Website: https://www.beverlyhathornconsulting.com/ Email: beverly@beverlyhathornconsulting.com Phone: 770-367-9914

  6. Aug 7

    No Regrets Leadership by Taking the High Road: From Senior VP in Oil and Gas, Doug Sandridge

    What happens when doing the right thing could cost you professionally? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Doug Sandridge, Senior Vice President at Fulcrum Energy Capital Funds, for a powerful conversation about integrity, lifelong learning, authentic leadership, family, energy, and the decisions that ultimately define your legacy. One of Doug’s most important leadership principles is simple: take the high road. He shares a defining moment when senior leaders pressured him to write an inaccurate negative employee evaluation. Knowing that refusing could potentially hurt his own career, Doug still chose not to compromise his integrity. Looking back, he explains why he has never regretted doing the right thing, even when it was difficult or personally costly. Doug and Cory also explore lifelong learning, family priorities, authenticity, and the importance of thinking beyond immediate results. Doug shares lessons from returning to graduate school around age 50 and from his advocacy work involving energy and Native American communities. One particularly powerful idea is the importance of considering how the decisions we make today could affect people seven generations from now. Whether you’re leading a company, a team, a family, or yourself, this episode challenges you to consider a bigger question when making difficult decisions: Will I be proud of this choice when I look back years from now? Because careers change and titles disappear, but your integrity becomes part of the legacy you leave behind. About Doug Sandridge Doug is the Senior Vice President at Fulcrum Energy Capital Funds and has more than 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. A seasoned land executive and entrepreneur, he specializes in land management, regulatory compliance, stakeholder relations, and public education. At Fulcrum Energy Capital Funds, Doug helps oversee land operations and strategy for the private equity firm investing in upstream and midstream assets across North America. His work focuses on leveraging analytical expertise and industry knowledge to create value for investors, partners, and the communities Fulcrum serves. Doug is also passionate about educating the next generation of energy leaders and serves as an adjunct instructor for the Executive MBA in Energy program at the University of Oklahoma. He believes greater public understanding of the energy sector is essential to creating a sustainable and prosperous future. Subscribe to Energy Ruminations: https://douglascsandridge.substack.com/ Connect with Doug LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-c-sandridge-63996312/ Substack: https://douglascsandridge.substack.com/ Website: https://executives4nuclear.com/ Email: doug@sandridge.org

  7. Aug 6

    Leadership at 16 Years Old... Founder, Patents and Building Before You Feel Ready, with Arya Upadhyay

    What if leadership has nothing to do with age and everything to do with the courage to take action? In this inspiring episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Arya Upadhyay, a 16-year-old researcher, inventor, founder, and electrical and computer engineering student whose work is already making an impact on some of the world's biggest challenges. A high school graduate at just 15 years old, Arya has earned two patents and is developing groundbreaking solutions in biodegradable nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability. Arya shares the story behind her decision to graduate early, the challenges of entering college at 16, and how stepping into unfamiliar environments taught her resilience, independence, and self leadership. She explains why failure has been her greatest mentor, why confidence comes from taking action instead of waiting for certainty, and how learning through experimentation has shaped both her personal growth and her innovations. The conversation explores her pioneering work developing a biodegradable nanorobot designed to detect microplastics in soil while naturally decomposing without harming the environment. She also discusses her second patent, an AI powered behavioral prediction system that helps improve patient engagement by using technology to encourage healthy habits instead of unhealthy distractions. Throughout the episode, Arya shares practical insights on staying focused in a world full of distractions, using social media intentionally, trusting the process even when results aren't immediate, and embracing uncertainty as an essential part of leadership. Her message is simple but powerful: leadership isn't about authority. It's about seeing a problem, taking responsibility, and building a solution. About Arya Upadhyay Arya Upadhyay is a researcher, inventor, and founder who graduated high school at 15 and has spent the years since building systems instead of waiting for permission. A student of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UT Austin, she holds two patents, has been featured in national media outlets, and leads research at the intersection of biodegradable nanotechnology, AI, and environmental sustainability. Her work focuses on designing intelligent systems that solve real-world problems, from soil microplastics to predictive behavioral engines, while challenging conventional thinking about innovation and leadership. Arya believes leadership is not about authority, but about having the clarity and courage to see a problem, name it, and build a solution anyway. Connect with Arya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arya-upadhyay/ Instagram: @arya.upadhyayy Email: arya.upadhyay@utexas.edu

  8. Jul 31

    Values, Discipline, Clean Living, and Sports Education with Victor Bergonzoli

    What if your greatest competitive advantage isn't your talent... but your discipline? In this inspiring episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Victor Bergonzoli, Co-Founder and CEO of SportsEdTV, to discuss the principles that create lasting success in business, leadership, health, and life. From building one of the world's leading free sports education platforms to leading with integrity through life's toughest moments, Victor shares why values, discipline, and service have become the foundation of everything he does. Victor explains how SportsEdTV is transforming sports education by providing free access to world-class coaching while helping athletes, coaches, and parents develop healthy habits, proper techniques, and a lifelong love of sport. The conversation explores the importance of community, mentorship, and creating meaningful human connections in a world increasingly dominated by technology and social media. Drawing from his experiences growing up in Switzerland, serving as a Swiss Army captain, speaking five languages, and living around the world, Victor shares powerful lessons on resilience, mental toughness, cultural awareness, and why discipline is a daily choice rather than a personality trait. He also reveals how changing his nutrition, eliminating sugar and alcohol, and committing to simple, consistent habits transformed his health and dramatically improved his overall well-being. Whether you're looking to become a stronger leader, improve your health, or build greater discipline, this episode offers practical wisdom you can apply immediately. About Victor Bergonzoli Victor Bergonzoli is the Co-Founder and CEO of SportsEdTV, a leading global sports education platform, and has spent more than 30 years in the sports technology and media industries. As CEO, he has helped raise more than $7 million in equity capital, grown the platform to 3 million monthly unique visitors in under 18 months, and built a worldwide audience spanning virtually every country. Victor's expertise includes sports technology, market research, business development, information technology, and strategic partnerships. He is also the Co-Founder of the International Sports Technology Association, a nonprofit organization that brings together leaders from sports organizations, leagues, universities, engineering, coaching, sports science, and technology to advance innovation and education throughout the industry. His mission is simple: leverage technology to make world-class sports education accessible to everyone while inspiring healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and lifelong learning. Connect with Victor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bergonzoli/ Learn more about SportsEdTV at https://sportsedtv.com

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In a noisy, distracted world, authentic leadership matters more than ever. Hosted by Cory Dunham—entrepreneur, business leader, and follower of Jesus—this podcast is real talk for real leaders who want to live and lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. From overcoming fear mindsets to leading with love, Cory shares personal stories, faith-driven values, and practical tools that help you grow as a leader in your workplace, family, and community. Each episode offers actionable takeaways, mindset shifts, and sometimes guest insights—so you can lead without burnout, build trust, create alignment, and anchor yourself in what truly matters. Whether you’re a boss, teacher, parent, entrepreneur, career professional, or single mom, this show will help you lead yourself and others in a way that’s bold, authentic, and sustainable. Because leadership isn’t a title—it’s a way of living. Subscribe and join a community of leaders who are done with surface-level living. The world doesn’t need louder leaders—it needs leaders who are clear, courageous, and grounded.

Information

  • Creator
    Cory Dunham
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unapologetic Leadership
  • Show Website
    Unapologetic Leadership